Device for throwing traction-engine shafts off dead-centers.



v No. 831,992. PATENTED SEPT. 25, 1906 W.-L. QUlOK. DEVICE FOR THROWINGTRACTION ENGINE SHAFTS OPP DEAD CENTERS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 4, 1906.

8 Wuev atom UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM L. QUICK, ()F PIPER CITY, ILLINOIS.

DEVICE FOR THROWING TRACTION-ENGINE SHAFTS OFF DEAD-CENTERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 25, 1906.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM L. QU'IcK, a citizen of the United States,residing at Piper City, in the county of Ford and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for.Throwin Traction-Engine Shafts Off Dead-Centers, ofwhich the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to devices for throwing traction-engine shaftsoff dead-centers, the object of the invention being 'to provide a simpledevice applicable to any ordinary tracti0n-engine whereby preparatory tostarting the engine the engine-shaft or crank-shaft may be turnedsufficiently to throw the same off of a dead-center, thereby allowingthe piston to act immediately upon the entrance of steam to thecylinder.

With the above general objects in view the invention consists 1n thenovel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinaftermore fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of atraction-engine, showing the improved mechanism applied thereto/ Fig. 2is an enlarged side elevation of the device for throwing theengine-shaft off of the dead-center, the fiy-wheel of the engine beingshown in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the same.

Referring to the drawin s, 1 designates the engine-shaft or crank-sha ofa traction-engine, the same being provided with the usual fly-wheel 2.

In carrying out the present invention I provide a standard or bracket 3,which is bolted or otherwise secured to one of the bearing-boxes, asshown at the point 4:, and suitably braced, as shown at 5, the saidstandard or bracket being provided at its upper end with an eye 6.

Mounted upon the shaft 1 is a hangerframe, comprising parallel arms 7,joined by a connecting-bar 8. The arms 7 are provided at their innerends with sleeves 9, loosely mounted on the shaft 1 and held betweenfixed collars 10, fast on the shaft, so as to prevent the arm 7 fromsliding lengthwise of the shaft. The collars 10 are ordinarily madeadjustable for the purpose of adjusting the hanger-frame lengthwise ofthe shaft to bring the friction-shoe hereinafter described into properrelation to the fly-wheel. The connecting-bar 8 connects the outer freeends of the arms 7 and is extended laterally be- Mounted on the standardor bracket 3 are upper and lower stops 15 and 16, respectively, whichdefine the limits of movement of the arm 11, said arm normally restingagainst the upper stop 15, as shown in Fig. 1, while the lower stop 16limits the downward movement of said arm, as shown in Fig. 2. The stops15 and 16 may be adjustable up and down on the standard 3, so as toregulate the throw of the arm 11.

Connected to the end of the strap or band 12 is a connecting-rod 17,which extends back to a hand-lever 18, arranged upon or adjacent to theengineers platform 19, as shown in Fig. 1, With the parts arranged intheir normal position, as shown in Fig. 1, the engineer rocks the lever18, so as to bring the shoe 13 against the fiy-wheel 2-. In the furthermovement of the lever 18 the shoe 13 grips the rim of the fly-wheel andturns the fly-wheel and shaft 1 imtil the crank of said shaft is thrownoff the center. Upon rocking the lever 18 in the reverse direction thefriction-shoe 13 is moved out of contact with the rim of the fly-wheel,and the spring 14 lifts said shoe and swings the hanger-frame to itssuperimposed position, as shown in Fig.

1, wherein it holds the shoe 13 out of contact with the fly-wheel duringthe operation of the engine.

I claim- 1. The combination with a fly-wheel, and a spring-retractedhanger, of a friction-band supported by said hanger and embracing therim of the fiy-wheel, and hand-operated connections for moving said bandinto contact with the fly-wheel.

2. The combination'with the crank-shaft and fly-wheel of an engine, of ahanger journaled on said shaft, a friction-band supported at one end bysaid hanger and embracing the fiy-wheel rim, a spring for holding saidband normally out of contact with the fly-wheel,

and a manually-operated device for moving ing said shoe into engagementWith the flysaid band into engagement With the fly- Wheel and partiallyturning said Wheel, and a Wheel and partially turning said fly-Wheel.retracting-spring interposed between said 3. The combination. with thecrank-shaft hanger and upright or bracket. 5 and fly-Wheel of atraction-engine, of a vibra- In testimony whereof I affix my signature15 tory hanger journaled on said shaft, a standin presence of tWoWitnesses. ard or bracket provided with stops for 1imit WILLIAM L.QUICK. ing the swinging movement of the hanger in Witnesses: bothdirections, a friction-shoe carried by the R. A. JENNINGS,

I hanger, a manually-operated device for mov- J. K. MONTELIUS. a

